Universal Ground Rules

The Commissioner's Office has issued the following Universal Ground Rules for use in all Major League ballparks this season. Ground Rules pertaining to individual parks are posted separately in those parks. U.S. Cellular Field, Kauffman Stadium and Yankee Stadium currently do not have ground rules other than the Universal Ground Rules listed below.

Ball on the top step (lip) of the dugout is in play.

No equipment is permitted to be left on the top step (lip) of the dugout. If a ball hits equipment left on the top step it is dead.

A player is not permitted to step or go into a dugout to make a catch.

A player is permitted to reach into a dugout to make a catch. If a player makes a catch outside the dugout and the player's momentum carries him into the dugout, then the catch is allowed and the ball remains alive as long as the player does not fall while in the dugout. See Rule 5.09(a)(1).

A batted ball in flight can be caught between or under railings and around screens.

A catch may be made on the field tarp.

Batted or thrown ball lodging in the rotating signage behind home plate or along first base or third base stands is out of play.

Batted or thrown ball resting on the rotating signage behind home plate or along first base or third base stands is in play.

The facings of railings surrounding the dugout and photographers areas are in play.

Any cameras or microphones permanently attached on railings are treated as part of the railings and are in play.

Any recessed railings or poles that are in the dugout and photographers areas are out of play and should be marked with red to mark them out of play.

Robotic cameras attached to the facing of the backstop screen are considered part of the screen.

A batted ball striking the backstop camera is considered a dead ball.

A thrown ball striking the backstop camera is considered in play.

A ball striking the guy wires that support the backstop is a dead ball.

A ball lodging behind or under canvas on field tarp is out of play.

A ball striking the field tarp and rebounding onto the playing field is in play.

No chairs can be brought out of the dugout or bullpen and onto the playing field.

Ball striking any forward facing green padded dugout or photographer well railing and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

Ball hitting yellow square at top of outfield wall on right side of bullpen gate: In Play (However, ball hitting fence support above yellow square is considered to have gone over fence (i.e., home run, ground-rule double, etc).

Netting in the right field corner in foul territory is above and beyond the wall. A batted ball that bounds into the netting is a dead ball whether or not it rebounds onto the playing field: Two Bases.

ROOF TRUSSES

Batted ball strikes roof truss over fair territory:

Ball to be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder.

Batted ball that strikes either of the lower two catwalks, lights or suspended objects in fair territory: Home Run.

Batted ball that is not judged a home run and remains on a catwalk, light or suspended object: Two Bases.

Batted ball that is not judged a home run and strikes a catwalk, light or suspended object in fair territory shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder. If caught by fielder, batter is out and runners advance at own risk.

Fair bounding ball striking above the padded outfield wall between the vertical yellow line in foul territory and the left field foul pole is out of play: Two Bases.

Fair bounding ball striking above the padded outfield wall on or to the left of the vertical yellow line in foul territory is in play.

Guidelines for Movement of Retractable Roofs

The decision as to whether a game begins with the roof open or closed rests solely with the home club.

If the game begins with the roof open:

It shall be closed only in the event of impending rain or other adverse weather conditions. The decision to close the roof shall be made by the home club, after consultation with the Umpire Crew Chief.

The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.

(Arizona, Houston, Seattle, Toronto): Once the roof is closed during a game, it shall not be reopened.

(Milwaukee Only): The roof may be re-opened by following the procedures for opening the roof as detailed below.

If the game begins with the roof closed:

(Toronto Only): It shall not be opened at any time during the game.

(Arizona, Houston, Milwaukee, Seattle): It may be opened when, in the opinion of the home club, the climatic environment has reached a level where fan comfort and enjoyment will be best served by opening the roof to the natural atmospheric conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following guidelines should be applied opening the roof during a game.

The roof may be opened only once during the game.

The Umpire Crew Chief will be notified at the commencement of the inning that the roof will be opened at the inning's conclusion.

The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.

The opening of the roof shall only commence between innings.

(Arizona Only): The roof shall be opened in a pair of 2 minute, 15 second intervals; one interval at the conclusion of an inning and one interval at the conclusion of the next inning.